Gop Lawmakers Endorse Labriola

Former state Sen. Gerald Labriola of Naugatuck, favored for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, has picked up the endorsement of all 17 Republican state senators and 49 of 65 Republican House members.

``Dr. Labriola brings a unique combination of both private sector and legislative experience, and a keen knowledge of the issues facing Connecticut,'' Senate Minority Leader M. Adela Eads, R-Kent, said in a prepared statement. ``He has run in statewide elections in the past and can draw support from many people.''

Labriola, a retired pediatrician, ran for governor and lieutenant governor in the 1980s. He is favored over Wethersfield eye surgeon Joseph Bentivegna and Greenwich political consultant James Boutelle for the Senate endorsement at the GOP convention July 22 and 23.